New iPad 5: top 10 features to hope for

With Apple set to launch its iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 tomorrow, Radhika Sanghani lists the top 10 features consumers can hope for in the company's latest tablets.

1. Fingerprints

The iPhone 5S has been hugely popular because of its fingerprint sensor software on the home page which allows the user to unlock their phone with their finger. Apple could use the same Touch ID fingerprint recognition on their latest iPads.

2. Higher retina display

The iPad 4 already has a good quality retina display, but the iPad Mini does not so this would be a welcome improvement. The retina display is so detailed that the human eye cannot identify individual pixels, and the pressure is on for Apple as Google launched an updated version of its Nexus 7 tablet earlier this year, featuring an impressive 323ppi screen.

3. Flip cover

The original iPad flip cover was perfect in its simplicity as it folded up to create a stand for the iPad to rest on. But, it was so simple that Apple can expand on it and make it an even more attractive accessory - perhaps making it easier to use for commuters sitting down and holding it on their laps.

4. Keyboard

The latest Microsoft Surface tablet has a thin keyboard in its cover so users don't have to tap on the screen. Currently, iPads do not have traditional keyboards although they can be bought as additional accessories. Their latest designs could mimic Microsoft and feature inbuilt track pads.

5. Lighter

iPads are already designed to be easily portable but an even lighter and thinner Pad would be well-received. Rumour has it the new design is more squared-off than previous models, but is the design going to be easier to carrier? We hope so.

6. Faster

A faster processor would bring the iPad up to the performance of laptops and desktop computers. Hopefully the iPad 5 will use the powerful 64-bit A7X chip and have increased memory.

7. Battery life

With all its hoped-for new features, the iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 will need longer battery lives to avoid owners having to carry around chargers.

8. New covers

The new iPads are rumoured to come in a range of colours, following the iPhone 5C, but this would mean the current covers would not match. A new range of fun, fabric covers with smart displays would be a good addition.

9. Camera

iOS7 software brought new additions to Apple cameras, such as a range of filters, but these were unavailable on the iPad. An update of this would work well, along with a more powerful camera with better zoom functions.

10. Lower cost

This is an unlikely feature of both the new iPads, but one that would please millions of consumers. Instead, it is likely that prices will be in line with previous models, which would put a 16GB iPad 5 at $499 (£280) and could mean a 128GB iPad 5 with 4G LTE would cost $929 (£574).

Source : The Telegraph